With being a pet owner comes many responsibility but pets are great companions. If you are a new dog owner then this post is for you. Here are a few tips to make fur parenting a lot easier for the both you & Fido.1. Teach your dog manners at a young age. Remember dogs crave boundaries and you desire peace in the household. So take charge and remember you are the pack leader, and your dog will follow the pack leader. Teach your dog that misbehaving, nipping & biting, barking incessantly is not good dog etiquette. You may be thinking but my pups to young, but don't be fooled by that cute face. Even very young puppies can be taught the sit/stay, down, and come commands. You can get a good dog training book, watch the Dog Whisperer or enroll you and your pup in obedience school. If you are a proud parent of an adult dog that will need some retraining don't fret. We will be the first to tell you that its never to late to teach an older dog new tricks & the art of good manners.
2. Find your inner pack leader voice. Use voice commands to correct your dog; never hit your dog. You don't want your dog to become a scaredy-cat, no pun intended. Striking a dog only makes him fearful and distrustful of humans & scared of you. You don't want your dog to immediately hide in the closet upon your home arrival, a loving & nurtured dog will be at the door waiting with wags & licks. Use a high-pitched voice to praise him when he’s being good, and a low, gruff voice to gently scold (never yell) when your dog is misbehaving.
3. Balanced Diet, Nutrition & Checkups are key. We all want our dogs to grow up big, strong & healthy. The key to many happy dog years with your co-pilot is food. Feeding your dog high-quality, human grade, well balanced, delicious dog food chalked full of vitamins & minerals will keep your dog young, active & happy. Pick a commercial dog food that fits your dog breed, size, age & lifestyle that is both good for optimum growth & a strong immune system. Have him checked out by your vet, and regularly as your vet recommends, to catch any potential health problems early.
4. Socialize your dog. Dogs are by their very nature social butterflies and love a good meet, sniff & playtime. By exposing your dog to variety of people, other animals, sights, and sounds at a young age they are less likely to be fearful of new experiences as they grow older. Every dog owner dreams of having a well rounded fur companion and socializing does just that. Take your dog on car rides to fun places at an early age, so he doesn’t learn to associate a car ride with a trip to the vet!
5. Have patience with potty training. Puppies are like children; some take right to potty-training, and sometimes it seems like it’s never going to happen! You can help your puppy become trained more quickly by confining him to a small space, or a crate, when you are not able to supervise him. Clean up all accidents immediately urine & stain removal. It’s a dog’s nature to go in a spot that has been previously soiled with urine or feces, and stained carpeting can greatly hinder your efforts to house break your dog.
6. Give your puppy his own toys. If you don’t care to have your shoes, iphone, family heirlooms or remote control chewed up, then set rules and don't give your dog human objects to play with. Your dog should have their own dog-safe toys to chew & play with. Good news their are toys for every dogs chewing preference, from soft to hard. When you catch your dog in the act chewing something off-limits, simply say the stern words "No". Then replace the object with one of their own toys, soon your dog will learn the difference. Don't forget to praise your dog when you see him or her playing with their own toys instead of your belongings.
7. Fragile, Handle with care. Rough housing with your puppy could do more harm then good, and can trigger aggression. So make sure you don't allow friends or family members to play roughly with your dog. You don't won't your dog nipping at the hand that feeds him or shy away when you want to cuddle with him. A dog who is shy of being touched will be difficult to handle when getting groomed or checked by a vet.
8. Dog Proof your home. Protect your dog from household hazards. Just like small kids, dogs are curious and can get into anything. Make sure to look around the house & yard for potential hazards. Keep electrical cords tucked away where they can’t be reached & chewed. Place household cleaners and chemicals on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet. Avoid houseplants and landscape plants that may be toxic to your dog. Pick up small toys or other small objects that may be a choking hazard. Your dog’s safety is your responsibility!
Here are a few words of wisdom from proud fur parents & friends in the twitterverse!
We would also like to add that if you and your family are considering getting a new dog don't forget to checkout your local animal shelters & rescues. Pet adoption is the ultimate form of recycling. There are some beautiful & well deserving dogs that need a home. I know what you are thinking, "But we won't a new dog with a clean slate". We can agree that puppies are adorable and with a puppy comes a clean slate. But don't forget to consider leaving out a welcome mat for a sheltered pup & older dog.
7. Fragile, Handle with care. Rough housing with your puppy could do more harm then good, and can trigger aggression. So make sure you don't allow friends or family members to play roughly with your dog. You don't won't your dog nipping at the hand that feeds him or shy away when you want to cuddle with him. A dog who is shy of being touched will be difficult to handle when getting groomed or checked by a vet.
8. Dog Proof your home. Protect your dog from household hazards. Just like small kids, dogs are curious and can get into anything. Make sure to look around the house & yard for potential hazards. Keep electrical cords tucked away where they can’t be reached & chewed. Place household cleaners and chemicals on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet. Avoid houseplants and landscape plants that may be toxic to your dog. Pick up small toys or other small objects that may be a choking hazard. Your dog’s safety is your responsibility!
We would also like to add that if you and your family are considering getting a new dog don't forget to checkout your local animal shelters & rescues. Pet adoption is the ultimate form of recycling. There are some beautiful & well deserving dogs that need a home. I know what you are thinking, "But we won't a new dog with a clean slate". We can agree that puppies are adorable and with a puppy comes a clean slate. But don't forget to consider leaving out a welcome mat for a sheltered pup & older dog.
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